As you already know, smoking while pregnant
is not the best thing you can do. There are many things that
can go wrong with the fetus if you smoke. It is a known fact
that a woman who smokes while pregnant interferes with the
baby getting a healthy amount of food and oxygen. The amount
of risk that is increased to a healthy pregnancy, as you continue
to smoke, some of the risks include:

Miscarriage
is more likely

More
likely for your baby to die before birth

Developing
placenta previa, where the cervix gets covered by the placenta

Placental
abruption

Preterm
birth

Possible
learning and behavior difficulties, when a child

Early
birth can result in breathing problems

The
chances are greater of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

It is now understood that genetic defects are directly related
to smoking, or the intake of second hand smoke. When the mother-to-be
smokes, it starves the placenta and the fetus of nutrients
and oxygen, the placenta thins out and seemingly spreads through
the uterus, thus increasing the chances of placental abruption
or previa. At this time the placenta is now in a survival mode,
shifting to seek an appropriate amount of nutrients and oxygen.
The baby will tend to be smaller, and perhaps have a low birth
weight, due to the depravation, as the body no longer feels
it can nourish the fetus appropriately. There is a greater
chance of labor that is of the preterm variety, not a healthy
situation.

Nicotine like many other drugs, is addictive, and as such
is generally hard to kick. Often, assistance and support is
needed to break this habit, if it has been going on for some
time. It would be recommended that you consult your mid-wife
or doctor before using an aid such as the patch, while pregnant,
just to be sure of any complications it may entail.

In addition, the patch could be risky because it does contain
nicotine. However, the patch does not have the other harmful
chemicals that cigarettes contain. If you are late in your
pregnancy and still smoking, you may wonder if it is worth
quitting. The answer will always be yes. At any point that
you stop, you boost the benefit factor for the baby as well
as yourself.

After the baby is born, it would be recommended that you remain
smoke free, as many ailments can be associated with second
hand smoke, including, more frequent ear infections, more colds,
and even crib death. It would not be a bad idea to have your
partner quit with you, if they are smokers as well, encourage
them to take this plunge as a stronger support system will
be in place. Either way, it will be healthier for them, you,
and the baby for the long run. If your partner cannot or will
not quit, it is not unreasonable to ask them to do so outside,
and away from the baby and you.

Along with the fact that smoking can induce you to have a
smaller baby, it generally is the cause of many complications,
with a smaller baby. These babies need more nourishment, have
trouble sleeping, and in turn could make more trips to the
hospital.

Then if this is not enough reason to quit, here is another:
it is called Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR). Also,
think about breastfeeding. It is wonderful and many women look
forward to it, and enjoy it when they can. Smoking can negatively
affect breastfeeding, too. Although it is recommended that
if you smoke and are breastfeeding, you continue to feed this
way; however there are still risks from doing so.

Doctors will tell you that you can use the patch when breastfeeding
because using the patch is better than smoking for you and
the baby. However, if you wish to start a family, and have
decided to quit smoking, it would be best to be clear from
smoking for at least three months.

Pre-term Labor:

If you smoke your body is more likely to try to end your pregnancy
sooner in an effort to protect your baby from the harmful smoke.
The problem though is that babies born even slightly prematurely
have a greater risk of death and other complications. The sooner
the baby is born, the more likely you baby is to die or have
serious complications, including mental retardation and cerebral
palsy. If you smoke, you could have trouble staying pregnant.
It can also decrease your fertility. The smaller the baby,
the more at risk he or she may be for many problems. In fact,
low birth weight is one of the top reasons for babies to be
ill and die in the first months of life.

If you smoked during pregnancy or if your baby is surrounded
by second hand smoke, your baby will be more likely to be ill,
have asthma and other respiratory problems. Recent studies
show that if you smoke your baby is more likely to have colic.
There are many organizations to help you.

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